A Lot Like Nutella, But Sugar Free!

So, I LOVE Nutella!!!  What I don’t like is that it has sugar in it.  I cannot keep it in the house because I probably could eat an entire container in one sitting.

Around a year ago I bought a “sugar free” version of it.   Xylitol was the primary sweetener and sometimes that can not be easily digested, not to mention it’s toxic to dogs. I have a little chihuahua named Queso and if I had left this container open on a table, unfortunately, he would have eaten it!  Can’t trust him when it comes to food being in his reach.  However, isn’t he cute?

queso

Ingredients:

  • 1lb of blanched hazelnuts/filberts
  • 1 TBSP of Unflavored Coconut Oil Melted
  • 1/2 cup of Lily’s Dark Chocolate Chips Sweetened with Stevia

Buy the blanched hazelnuts/filberts because otherwise you will need to remove the shells and it was time-consuming!  If you have the time, then you can find out how I did this part from this awesome article.  Toast the blanched hazelnuts in the oven at 250 degrees for about 20 minutes.   Check on them at 10 minutes to see how they are doing, you’ll be able to smell a lovely nutty aroma from them when they are done.

My recipe differs from the link I posted above in that I wanted to try Lily’s Dark Chocolate Chips sweetened with Stevia..  They have a darker chocolate taste which comes out in the recipe.  I used 1/2 cup of melted chocolate chips.  I put them in the microwave for 30 seconds and stirred to see if they melted enough, if not, put them back in for 10 second intervals, otherwise you risk burning them and that is not a nice smell!   Ask me how I know!  🙂

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Then I melted the 1 TBSP of Unflavored Coconut Oil.  I threw it all in the blender and blended it until it was creamy and smooth!

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When you are done, it should look something like this:

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I put it in the fridge to solidify it a bit more.  It’s easier to spread when it’s been out, but I tend to put most stuff I make in the fridge to be on the safe side!

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Trim Healthy Mama (THM) Mocha-Coffee

thm-moca-coffeeI like to make myself a coffee in the morning that also works as my breakfast.  It’s a mocha coffee drink!

Here is the recipe:

First I brew a cup of coffee, then in a coffee mug I put two scoops of THM Integral
Collagen (a non-dairy protein) I use the same scoop from the THM scoop to use one to two scoops of my Hot Cocoa Mix (recipe here) and Swerve or THM Super Sweet Blend to taste.  Then I put it in the microwave for one minute.

I take it out of the microwave and blend it well.  Once it’s cooled I put it in one of those Blender Ball Cups to put it in.   I add some water and Unsweetened Almond Breeze milk to taste.   Then I make sure the cap is tightly closed and shake it up.  You can either drink it this way or I’ll put mine in the fridge overnight so it’s ready in the morning.  If you prefer it hot, I would put it in a mug and re-heat it.

I get my caffeine fix in the morning, my collagen protein and a bit of a chocolate fix in the morning!

Why use collagen protein?  Here are some useful articles on why.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/431493-what-are-the-benefits-of-a-collagen-powder-drink/

http://wellnessmama.com/60867/benefits-of-collagen/

https://healthyfocus.org/6-proven-collagen-protein-benefits/

http://www.myprotein.com/thezone/nutrition/5-amazing-benefits-collagen-protein/

 

 

 

 

 

THM Chai Tea Latte!

chai-tea-latte

I LOVE Chai Tea Lattes!   Sometimes when I’m looking for something sweet to eat at night, I can fill myself up with this drink and it will take care of my sweet tooth and my rumbling stomach!  Of course, I usually buy the caffeine free tea, because I usually drink this at night.  We all have brands that we like I’m a bit of a tea snob!  I like my special teas!  I like Twinings Chai as well a Tazo Chai.   Since Chai Tea has become more popular you can pick these up anywhere.  Target usually has the Tazo Brand.  Make sure to get the bags and not the premixed liquid because they add sugar to it.

Also get a lot of my stuff from Thrive Market!  I love them. They have Tazo Chai Tea as well.  There is a small membership fee, but you make it up with your savings within the first couple of orders.  To join click here!

I usually brew about 3 bags of my chai tea in a big mug.  I like my Chai spices strong!  You can also make your own spice blend Aarti Sequeira makes a wickedly awesome blend!  Her recipe is here!  I try to make a blend and keep it in and old spice jar!

After I’ve let that brew for about 10-15 minutes, told you I love it strong!  I’ll put 1 scoop of THM Integral Collagen in it.  Any more seems to give it a bit of an aftertaste.  Then I sweeten it with either Swerve or THM Super Sweet Blend.   Then I put in some unsweetened almond milk and enjoy!!!!   This can be served hot or cold!

 

Trim Healthy Mama (THM) Mocha-Coffee

thm-moca-coffeeI like to make myself a coffee in the morning that also works as my breakfast.  It’s a mocha coffee drink!

Here is the recipe:

First I brew a cup of coffee, then in a coffee mug I put two scoops of THM Integral
Collagen (a non-dairy protein) I use the same scoop from the THM scoop to use one to two scoops of my Hot Cocoa Mix (recipe here) and Swerve or THM Super Sweet Blend to taste.  Then I put it in the microwave for one minute.

I take it out of the microwave and blend it well.  Once it’s cooled I put it in one of those Blender Ball Cups to put it in.   I add some water and Unsweetened Almond Breeze milk to taste.   Then I make sure the cap is tightly closed and shake it up.  You can either drink it this way or I’ll put mine in the fridge overnight so it’s ready in the morning.  If you prefer it hot, I would put it in a mug and re-heat it.

I get my caffeine fix in the morning, my collagen protein and a bit of a chocolate fix in the morning!

Why use collagen protein?  Here are some useful articles on why.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/431493-what-are-the-benefits-of-a-collagen-powder-drink/

http://wellnessmama.com/60867/benefits-of-collagen/

https://healthyfocus.org/6-proven-collagen-protein-benefits/

http://www.myprotein.com/thezone/nutrition/5-amazing-benefits-collagen-protein/

 

 

 

 

 

THM/Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix

 

hot-cocoa-mix

I love hot cocoa in the fall and the winter!  My daughter loves it too!  I make a sugar free version that I pre-mix and always have on hand for us!   I save lots of old glass jars from things I’ve used in the past.  In this case, you can see it’s an old pickle jar!  Recycle and repurpose right! Sorry the picture isn’t better, I need to work on my photography skills!

For this you can use Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa or I like to use Healthworks Cacao Powder Raw Organic.  I also use either Swerve sweetener (I prefer the confectioner’s version b/c it melts nicer and doesn’t leave a gritty feeling) or you can use Trim Healthy Mama’s (THM) Super Sweet Blend Sweetener or THM Gentle Sweet or .  I prefer the Super Sweet Blend b/c my body doesn’t like Xylitol at all!

In my jar I usually put 1 cup of Cocoa, and then 2 cups of either Swerve, THM’s Super Sweet Blend or THM Gentle Sweet.  It depends on what I have on hand.  Now with the Swerve and Gentle Sweet they are finely ground to be like confectioners sugar, so they tend to leave a puff a sweetener in the air!  I have yet to figure out a way to stop this!   Once you have them both in the jar, securely seal the jar and shake.   Now you have instant hot cocoa mix.  Wait about 20 minutes before you open the jar again otherwise another puff of the sugar and now cocoa will coat your counter!

You can put a tablespoon in a mug ,how much you use in your mug, depends on the mug!  You can  make it with almond milk , water or milk but it tastes better with almond milk or milk depending on your audience!

I’m going to be working on a recipe to add THM Integral Collagen to it.  It’s kind of a science experiment to get the right amount without affecting the taste of the final product.

 

 

 

 

 

Meditation and Migraines

Our office just implemented something new we are trying.  We are having Meditation Works come out weekly for 10 weeks to help us do mindful meditations.  I’ve tried meditating in the past and still try to once a week at home.  However, with a 4 year old it can be difficult to do uninterrupted!

Meditation Works is a Michigan-based company that has a mobile unit they bring to your office to help employees reduce stress and distraction by using a 10-minute mindful meditation practice.

I plan on doing this for the next 10 weeks and writing an article about it and see if it has improved my migraines and or any other aspect of my health!

Check out Meditation Works here!

Video on Experience with SPG Nerve Block

I may have to consider this, if the physical therapy I’m doing doesn’t end up working.   Doesn’t look too bad.   I’ve had sinus surgery and this looks way easier than pulling that gauze that was shoved up my nose!

https://migraine.com/blog/experience-spg-nerve-blocks/